Dugdale to US Democrats: 'Heed warning of UK Brexit vote, or nightmare of Trump presidency could become reality'

US Democrats must heed the warning of the UK's EU referendum vote, or risk the possibility that "the nightmare scenario of a Donald Trump presidency could become a reality", Kezia Dugdale has said.

The Scottish Labour leader is set to meet US political and trade union leaders at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this week, where Hillary Clinton is expected to be confirmed as the Democratic presidential nominee.

She urged Democrat voters to consider the parallels between the rhetoric of pro-Brexit campaigners and that of Republican candidate Donald Trump.

The billionaire businessman and reality TV star-turned-politician is using the same "reckless populism" as the Brexit camp in the run-up to the referendum, she said, rallying those who "feel they have no hope and nothing to lose" with fears about immigration.

While it was easy to reject the division created by pro-Brexit leaders and Donald Trump, she added, critics "must never dismiss the views of people who vote for them".

"We need to address their concerns and invest in their future, not write them all off," she said.

"Only by addressing deep rooted poverty and inequality, giving people hope of a better future, investing in their skills and giving them more power over their own lives will we be able to win people back from supporting dangerous populists around the world.

"This week Hillary Clinton can show that there is a better way, by setting out a vision for investing in the skills and potential of people across the United States."